The Holy See is the oldest continuing international organization in the world. Its Secretary of State office was established in 1486, and that is also when its first permanent representatives were established in Venice, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and France. Today, the Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with 176 states. It is also the only Permanent Observer State at the United Nations, and it participates in various internationals conventions and agreements. While it is officially neutral, it is not silent.

The Holy Sees diplomatic prowess was tested severely during the twentieth century. Nevertheless, it played a crucial role in maintaining world peace, especially during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Holy See and the Soviet Union had a very strained relationship. After World War II, Catholic leaders in the new areas of Soviet control were suppressed. Priests, bishops, and cardinals were given show trials and sent to prisons. Eventually, the Soviets engaged in covert activities to undermine the papacy itself by promoting the slander of Pius XII as Hitlers Pope. Despite all this, the Vatican continued to influence Soviet leaders. In fact, Bl. Pope John XXIII helped bring the superpowers back from the edge of war in October 1962  49 years ago last month.

On October 11 of that year, Pope John opened the Second Vatican Council. In the speech that he gave that day, he said: We feel we must disagree with those prophets of gloom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand. In the present order of things, Divine Providence is leading us to a new order of human relations which, by men’s own efforts and even beyond their very expectations, are directed toward the fulfillment of God’s superior and inscrutable designs. And everything, even human differences, leads to the greater good of the Church.

Three days later, American spy planes discovered that the Cuban and Soviet governments had begun to build bases in Cuba for a number of medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic nuclear missiles. They would have the ability to strike most of the continental United States. President Kennedy was furious. On October 22, he went on television to explain the situation, and he moved the defense readiness condition to Defcon 2 for only the second time in history.

Kennedy insisted that the missiles had to be removed. When Khrushchev refused, the American president set a blockade around Cuba. Khrushchev, in turn, authorized his Soviet field commanders to launch tactical nuclear weapons if Cuba were invaded by the U.S. As the Russian ships approached, the blockade stood firm and ready, and the world came closer than ever to Armageddon. Millions watched the showdown on television.

Kennedy, the first (and still so far the only) Catholic president, then sent a message to Pope John XXIII. After reading the presidents note, the pope drafted a message, copies of which were delivered to both the American and Soviet embassies. The following day, John read his message on Vatican Radio. It said:

We beg all governments not to remain deaf to this cry of humanity. That they do all that is in their power to save peace. They will thus spare the world from the horrors of a war whose terrifying consequences no one can predict. That they continue discussions, as this loyal and open behaviour has great value as a witness of everyones conscience and before history. Promoting, favouring, accepting conversations, at all levels and in any time, is a rule of wisdom and prudence which attracts the blessings of heaven and earth.

The next day, the Popes message appeared in newspapers all around the world, including Pravda, the official newspaper of the Soviet Communist party. The headline in that paper said: We beg all governments not to remain deaf to this cry of humanity.

With his plea, Pope John XXIII had given Khrushchev a way out. By withdrawing now, he would be seen as a man of peace, not a coward. Two days later, Khrushchev, an atheist who was in the middle of a propaganda war with the Vatican, agreed to withdraw the missiles. (Kennedy also secretly agreed to withdraw American missiles from Turkey.)

Pope Johns role in the resolution of the Cuban missile crisis is often overlooked, but it was very important. It also helped move the world in a positive direction, consistent with the Second Vatican Council that was then taking place. Soviet and American leaders signed a nuclear test ban on July 25, 1963. President Kennedy called that the first step down the path of peace. The two nations also set up a “hot line” for emergency messages between Washington and Moscow.

It was not known by the public at the time, but on September 23, 1962, just a month before he helped pull the world back from the brink of war, an X-ray revealed that Pope John XXIII was suffering from an advanced case of stomach cancer. He knew he was dying. He passed away on June 3, 1963. He was proclaimed blessed on September 3, 2002. The cause of his sainthood is still underway.

Thanks for the history. I was just a baby that year. What history. I believe without the world knowing it surely could of been world war three. Because people knew more heart felt prayers were offered. Kennedy released the news for the nation to know too.

All Christians from all denominations were prayering. The blue army of rosary prayers were at least seven million to ten million members. I remember my mother had that magazine delivered monthly in the sixties and early seventies.

The power of prayers were and are so anointed. Today we need even more today.

I am in Woodstock. I go to St Michael's on Sunday. Also St Peter Channel at times on only Friday noon mass.

I just went to St Catherines in Kennesaw for 7 o'clock at night last week. A powerful presence of The Holy Spirit. I was immediately in the Spirit I wonder what was going on until I saw the Holy Relics from two thousands to the 20th century. It was right in front of the altar. I did not know until after mass. Beautiful Church.

We're up in Woodstock and Kennesaw quite a bit, friends in both places.

I wonder if the relics were those from Companions of the Cross, which has a travelling exposition of over 150 relics from a documented fragment of the True Cross forward to St. Gianna Molla. The relics were shown at our parish last year, and it was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of so many saints.

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